Scientists say Glyphosate Needs Safety Review

Monsanto’s out-of-date Science
Current standards that assess glyphosate dangers are based on out-of-date science, say the researchers. That old “science” (also performed only by those with vested interest in its outcomes) may not be able to address the full complement of health hazards associated with pesticide exposure. The experts call for an urgent review of these outdated “standards.”

Monsanto has Us Covered
Glyphosate use has increased rapidly in the U.S. over the past twenty years. Today it is the most widely used weed-killer in the nation and the world. Global estimates suggest that in 2014 enough glyphosate was used to spray nearly 0.5 kg on every hectare of farmable land across the entire earth.

Glyphosate is used to kill off weeds (and, incidentally, bees, insects, and birds) before crops are planted. Then it is further used to control weed growth. Then it is also used to speed up the natural drying of seeds before harvest. Pesticide residues have been found in soybeans, wheat, barley, and many other crops and foods, the researchers say.

Peer Review Science Absent
Most of the science used to support the safety standards applied in the US was carried out more than 30 years ago. Relatively little of it was subject to peer review. Since then, more than 1500 glyphosate studies have been published, hundreds in just the past decade, many in peer-reviewed journals that set the standard for law.

The experts say, “It is incongruous that safety assessments of the most widely-used herbicide on the planet rely largely on fewer than 300 unpublished, non-peer reviewed studies while excluding the vast modern literature on glyphosate effects.”

Despite the rapid increase in glyphosate being sprayed everywhere, there is no systematic monitoring system for tracking levels in human tissue. Few studies have researched potential harm to humans.

Glyphosate Damage to Liver, Kidney, Eye, Cardio Systems
Recent animal studies, however, have suggested glyphosate at doses lower than those used to assess risk, may be linked to heightened risks of liver, kidney, eye, and cardiovascular system damage.

Monsanto avoids Public Scrutiny
Weed-killers which combine glyphosate with other ‘so-called inert ingredients,’ may be even more potent, say the experts. The problem is like the voting machine owners hiding behind “proprietary interests” to keep us from counting our votes. Monsanto and other ag businesses hide behind their own corporate shield. Monsanto and others argue that these pesticide mixtures are “commercially sensitive” and therefore need to be made unavailable to the public.  (Editorial comment alert: So, you see, you can’t know what is in your food or how it is made – that is for corporate eyes only, because some other corporation could steal the secret of poisoning the world, killing off bees birds, animals, humans, and also profit from the devastation.)

The researchers are far from alone in claiming that glyphosate is associated with a heightened risk of cancer and has the potential to disrupt hormone function. Monsanto, of course, begs to differ.

The researchers call for several sensible measures:

• improved surveillance of the levels of glyphosate and its metabolites in people
• the latest state of the art tests and technology to be applied to risk assessments of these chemicals and other combination weed-killers
• further research to track occupational exposures in agricultural workers, manufacturers, and other vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and their children
• evaluations of commercial combination weed-killers containing glyphosate.

Scientists say Glyphosate Needs Safety Review

The researchers wrote: “After a review of all evaluations, we conclude that the current safety standards are outdated and may fail to protect public health and the environment.” (BMJ)

Journal Reference:

Laura N Vandenberg, Bruce Blumberg, Michael N Antoniou, Charles M Benbrook, Lynn Carroll, Theo Colborn, Lorne G Everett, Michael Hansen, Philip J Landrigan, Bruce P Lanphear, Robin Mesnage, Frederick S vom Saal, Wade V Welshons, John Peterson Myers. Is it time to reassess current safety standards for glyphosate-based herbicides? Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2017; jech-2016-208463 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2016-208463

BMJ. “Weedkiller chemical (glyphosate) safety standards need urgent review: Emerging evidence suggests they may be failing to protect public/environmental health.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 March 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170323125427.htm>.

Top Ten GMO Foods to Avoid

1. Corn – as much as 80% of the corn produced in the US is GMO.

2. Soy – Monsanto has about 90 percent of the soy market. In 2006, some 96.7 million pounds of glyphosate was sprayed on soybeans alone.

3. Sugar – According to NaturalNews, genetically-modified sugar beets were introduced to the U.S. market in 2009. Like others, they’ve been modified by Monsanto to resist herbicides.

4. Aspartame – Aspartame is a toxic additive used in numerous food products, and should be avoided for numerous reasons, including the fact that it is created with genetically modified bacteria.

5. Papayas – Bad surprise for tropical-fruit lovers. GMO papayas have been grown in Hawaii since 1999. They can’t be sold to countries in the European Union, but US regulators can’t wait for you to buy and eat them.

6. Canola – Canola is a great con. It is one of the most chemically altered foods in the U.S.

7. Cotton – More sprayed with pesticides than any other product in the U.S. Buy organic cotton if you can.

8. Dairy – Dairy products may contain growth hormones. As many as 20% of all dairy cows in the US are pumped with these harmful hormones. Monasnto’s health-hazardous rBGH has been banned in 27 countries, but US regulators give the company a free pass.

9. and 10. – Zucchini and Yellow Squash are often genetically modified.

The FDA simply gave Monsanto and other biotech bullies free reign to unleash these GMOs on us. Monsanto claims they’re safe. Independent labs and smart consumers beg to differ.

RELATED

• Glyphosate safety needs urgent review – Science Daily
• Monsanto Lawsuit
• Roundup Cancer Lawsuit
• Monsanto sued for False Advertising
• Monsanto sued for Water Contamination
• Monsanto, US Regulators Poison World

by Matthews & Associates